Finger shaped tooth polisher

ABSTRACT

A tooth polisher includes an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of said opposing sides polishes the teeth. A chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides is soft and is used to buff the teeth after polishing with the rough cloth. A finger pull tab connects to said finger cloth between said rough cloth and said chamois cloth and allow the tooth polisher to be rotated to orient the rough cloth and chamois cloth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/363,164, filed Mar. 6, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to tooth polishers for whitening, cleaningand polishing teeth and, in particular, to tooth polishers that can fitover a finger of the user or a toothbrush.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Martinez (U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,461) discloses a, “Tooth CleaningDevice.” The tooth cleaning device includes a tubular member (12). Thetooth member is made of cloth. The tubular member mounts onto a mountingmember (18). The mounting member can fit onto a user's finger (FIG. 1),or other object (FIGS. 4 and 6). Martinez does not show two surfaces anda tab between the surfaces.

[0006] Mittiga (U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,765) teaches a, “Finger GloveComprising Areas Prepared for Oral Hygiene.” Mittiga shows a glove thatfits over the finger. FIG. 7 shows a strip 108 composed of thickabsorbent paper with a rough surface. Other embodiments have smallpockets filled with toothpaste or similar material. Mittiga does notshow two surfaces with a tab between the surfaces.

[0007] Baczkowski (U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,002) teaches a, “CombinationEyeglass Lens Polisher and Eyeglass Holder Device.” While Baczkowskirelates to an eyeglass holder, it still teaches a pocket in which oneslips their finger and polishes a surface. Most importantly, Baczkowskiteaches a soft material such as a chamois, see col. 2, line 63.

[0008] Bora, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,731) teaches a, “Device for OralHygiene Care.” The device can be a cloth 20, with an adhesive 10 forwrapping into a cylinder; see FIG. 2. The cylinder can be attached to astick (FIGS. 12-13). The patent also teaches preformed cylinders (FIGS.4a-4c). A tab 16 is taught. The devices can be stored in a container120; see FIG. 11. While showing a tab, the tab serves a differentpurpose: covering and releasing the adhesive, not for turning thedevice.

[0009] Regester (U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,299) teaches a, “Tooth CleaningDevice.” A tubular fits around a user's finger. The tubular body issurrounded by terry cloth. Regester does not teach two opposing surfacesof different abrasiveness with a tab therebetween.

[0010] Burrello (U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,005) teaches a “Single Use DentalMaintenance Device.” The device includes a tab 5 for attaching anddetaching the device. The tab is not used for rotating the device.

[0011] Lutz (U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,824) teaches a, “Tooth CleaningDevice.” The tooth cleaning device includes a tab 18. The tab 18 is usedfor pulling the device onto one hand by grabbing the tab with the otherhand. The tab is not used for rotating the device. In addition, theasymmetrical shape prevents rotation of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a toothpolisher which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of theheretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that fitsover a finger and polishes teeth.

[0013] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided,in accordance with the invention, a tooth polisher. The tooth polisherincludes a finger cloth. The finger cloth has two opposing sides. Arough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamoiscloth is disposed on the other of the opposing sides.

[0014] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a toothpolisher includes an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having twoopposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger. A rough cloth isdisposed on a first of the opposing sides. A chamois cloth is disposedon the other of the opposing sides. A finger pull tab is connected tothe finger cloth between the rough cloth and the chamois cloth.

[0015] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a toothpolisher includes an elastic toothbrush bristle shaped finger clothhaving two opposing sides for fitting tightly over bristles of atoothbrush. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of the opposing sides.A chamois cloth is disposed on the other of the opposing sides. A fingerpull tab is connected to the finger cloth between the rough cloth andthe chamois cloth.

[0016] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a toothpolisher includes a handle. A polishing surface is disposed on thehandle and has two opposing sides. A rough cloth is disposed on a firstof the opposing sides. A chamois cloth on the other of the opposingsides.

[0017] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a toothincludes a handle having two opposing ends. A first polishing surface isdisposed on a first of the opposing ends. A rough cloth covering thefirst polishing surface. A second polishing surface is disposed on asecond of the opposing ends. A chamois cloth covers the second polishingsurface.

[0018] In accordance with a further object of the invention, a dispenserfor tooth polishers with finger pull tabs includes a box for holding thetooth polishers having a slit formed therein for pulling the toothpolishers from the box by the finger pull tabs. A folding lid connectedto the box can cover the slit. A mirror is disposed on the lid.

[0019] In accordance with a further object of the invention, the toothpolisher may be used to clean and whiten the teeth of animals.

[0020] In accordance with a further object of the invention, the toothpolishers may be individually wrapped for improved sanitation.

[0021] Other features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0022] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein asembodied in finger shaped tooth polisher, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims.

[0023] The construction and method of operation of the invention,however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will bebest understood from the following description of specific embodimentswhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for finger shapedtooth polishers;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a front view of a finger shaped tooth polisher;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the finger shaped tooth polisher;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the tooth polisher over atoothbrush; and

[0028]FIG. 5 is a front view of the tooth polisher over the toothbrush;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the tooth polisher over the toothbrush;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a front view of a tooth polisher with a handle;

[0031]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the tooth polisher with a handle; and

[0032]FIG. 9 is a front view of a tooth polisher with two polishingsurfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first,particularly, to FIG. 2 thereof, there is seen a front view of a toothpolisher generally marked with reference number 1.

[0034] The tooth polisher 1 is disposable. The tooth polisher 1 includesan elastic finger cloth 2. The elastic finger cloth 2 is sized tosnuggly fit over a user's finger or other similarly shaped object.

[0035] A rough cloth 3 is attached to the front of the finger cloth 2.The rough cloth 3 is treated with a tooth whitening formula. The toothwhitening formula can be selected from any customary tooth whiteningformula. In addition, the rough cloth 3 includes a breath freshener.

[0036] A soft chamois cloth 4 is included on a side of the finger cloth2 that opposes the rough cloth 3. The chamois cloth 4 preferably is asynthetic chamois material. The soft chamois cloth 4 is soft and buffsthe teeth after they have been polished by the rough cloth 3.

[0037] The rough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4 can be coloreddifferently from each other to help users identify which cloth they areusing.

[0038] A finger pull tab 5 is located on the finger cloth 2 between therough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4. The finger pull tab 5 allows thetooth polisher 1 to be rotated to face the rough cloth 3 or the chamoiscloth 4 toward the teeth to be scrubbed.

[0039] A plurality of the tooth polishers 1 can be placed in a dispenserthat is generally marked with reference number 6. The dispenser is a box7 with a slit 10 formed therein. The tooth polishers 1 are disposedwithin the box 7 so that they can be pulled in series from the boxthrough the slit 10 by their finger pull tabs 5. The box 7 has a lid 8that can be closed to protect the tooth polishers 1. The box 7 ispreferably made from a durable plastic. Disposable replacement cardboardboxes (not shown in the drawings) containing a plurality of toothpolishers 1 can be inserted in the box 7 as a refill. A mirror 9 isplaced on the inside of the lid 8. The mirror can be a glass mirror ormade from a reflective metallic foil. The mirror 10 is used to see auser's teeth during polishing and allows the user to see the improvementthroughout brushing.

[0040] FIGS. 4-6 show the tooth polisher 1 placed over the bristles 12of a toothbrush 11. The elastic nature of the finger cloth 2 holds thetooth polisher 1 on the bristles 12. Again, the tooth polisher 1 can berotated with the finger pull tab 5 to expose the rough cloth 3 or thechamois cloth 4. To complement the toothbrush, the finger cloth 2 can besmaller than a finger cloth 2 that is intended to be placed over afinger.

[0041] FIGS. 7-8 show a tooth polisher 1 with an integrated handle 13.Preferably, the handle 13 is plastic. A polishing surface 14 is dividedbetween the rough cloth 3 and the chamois cloth 4. The handle 13 can berotated to expose the rough cloth 3 or the chamois cloth 4.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the tooth polisher 1 with anintegrated handle 13 and two polishing surfaces 14. The polishingsurfaces are placed at opposing ends of the integrated handle 13. One ofthe polishing surfaces has a rough cloth 3 and the other polishingsurface has a chamois cloth 4.

[0043] To use the tooth polisher 1, the teeth are polished with therough cloth 3. After polishing with the rough cloth, the chamois cloth 4is used to buff the teeth. Noticeable differences are achievedimmediately.

I claim:
 1. A tooth polisher, comprising: a finger cloth having twoopposing sides; a rough cloth on a first of said opposing sides; and achamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides.
 2. A tooth polisher,comprising: an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposingsides for fitting tightly over a finger; a rough cloth being disposed ona first of said opposing sides for polishing teeth; a whitening agentbeing disposed on said rough cloth; a breath freshener being disposed onsaid rough cloth; a soft chamois cloth being disposed on the other ofsaid opposing sides for buffing the teeth after they have been polished;a finger pull tab being connected to said finger cloth between saidrough cloth and said chamois cloth.
 3. A tooth polisher, comprising: anelastic tooth-brush bristle shaped finger cloth having two opposingsides for fitting tightly over bristles of a toothbrush; a rough clothon a first of said opposing sides; a chamois cloth on the other of saidopposing sides; a finger pull tab connected to said finger cloth betweensaid rough cloth and said chamois cloth.
 4. A tooth polisher,comprising: a handle; a polishing surface being disposed on said handleand having two opposing sides; a rough cloth on a first of said opposingsides; and a chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides.
 5. Atooth polisher, comprising: a handle having two opposing ends; a firstpolishing surface being disposed on a first of said opposing ends; arough cloth covering said first polishing surface; a second polishingsurface being disposed on a second of said opposing ends; and a chamoiscloth covering said second polishing surface.
 6. A dispenser for toothpolishers with finger pull tabs, comprising: a box for holding the toothpolisher according to claim 1 and having a slit formed therein forpulling the tooth polisher from the box by the finger pull tab; afolding lid connected to said box for covering said slit; and a mirroron said lid.